DeVry Inc. (DV), ITT Educational Services, Inc. (ESI), Apollo Group Inc (APOL): The Mass Exodus From For-Profit Education

The second variable, which is closely related to the first, is the simple fact that the industry has received a ton of bad press over the past few years. As more and more stories of crushing student debt, coupled with questionable benefits for students, come out, many students have chosen to take alternative routes to education — most notably through community colleges.

Finally, when the economy is in the dumps, going back to school becomes a popular option. Back in 2010, the unemployment rate hovered around 10%. Though it’s not at a healthy level now, the current rate of 7.6% is much lower — meaning lots of potential students are back on the job.

As I said, over the coming days, I’ll be investigating how — if at all — these schools have cleaned up their act over the past few years, if enrolling in a for-profit school is worth it, and whether or not an investment in this beaten-down industry makes any sense today.

The article The Mass Exodus From For-Profit Education originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Brian Stoffel.

Fool contributor Brian Stoffel has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends American Public Education and Bridgepoint Education (NYSE:BPI). The Motley Fool owns shares of American Public Education and Bridgepoint Education.

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